Soccer: Prosecutors asked to probe anti-Semitic slurs

Behavior of fans of four teams being investigated

(ANSA) - Rome, March 10 - Prosecutors were asked Monday to
investigate complaints of anti-Semitic jeers during a soccer
match last month in Turin.

Fans for both Juventus and Fiorentina allegedly made
anti-Semitic comments during a February 23 match.

One compared Jews with "typhoid", triggering complaints by
Jewish leaders including Renzo Gattegna, president of the Union
of Italian Jewish Communities.

"The hope is that as soon as possible the most appropriate
measures can be taken and that those responsible for these
actions are put in a position of not being able to attend
(soccer matches) for a long time," he said.
Investigators have been viewing videotapes from the game
with an eye to allegations of banners and comments made
reportedly mocking the deaths of fans during the 1985 Heysel
Stadium disaster.

That occurred when fans trying to leave the stadium in
Brussels before the start of the 1985 European Cup final between
Juventus and Liverpool were crushed against a wall, leading to
the deaths of 39 Juventus fans and injuries to 600.

Fan behavior at a match between Rome and Naples is also
being investigators after complaints of "territorial
discrimination".